Real Madrid will face Manchester City at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 19:00 UTC in the Quarter-Finals of the Champions League Final Stage.
Real Madrid Form
Real Madrid, familiar with intense knockout clashes against Manchester City, seek redemption following last year's humiliating defeat at the Etihad Stadium. However, Carlo Ancelotti's Blancos are riding a strong wave of form, hinting at their potential to snatch victory from the reigning champions on Tuesday.
Despite a setback in the Copa del Rey against Atlético Madrid in January, Real Madrid have gone unbeaten in 13 consecutive matches across various competitions. Their progression past RB Leipzig in the Champions League last 16, although not entirely convincing, underscores their resilience.
Their recent La Liga victories, including a three-game winning streak with 10 goals scored against Celta Vigo, Osasuna, and Athletic Bilbao, showcase their offensive prowess. Real Madrid's quarter-final record in the Champions League is formidable, having triumphed in their last 11 encounters since 2003-04.
Having enjoyed a nine-day break following a comfortable win over Athletic Bilbao, Real Madrid aim to extend their unbeaten home streak, which spans 26 matches since April 2023. Despite conceding a goal to RB Leipzig, they remain defensively solid, with Manchester City poised to challenge their resilience with their attacking prowess.
Manchester City Form
After breezing through the group stage with a flawless record, Manchester City comfortably dispatched Danish champions Copenhagen in the round of 16 with two 3–1 victories, maintaining their remarkable streak of scoring three goals in each of their eight Champions League matches in the 2023-24 season.
Since their 1-1 draw at the Bernabéu last year, Manchester City have not stumbled in the Champions League, boasting the second-longest winning streak in the tournament's history with 10 consecutive victories. Their unbeaten run in the competition extends to an impressive 21 matches since a 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in 2022.
Following a 4-2 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League, led by a standout performance from Kevin De Bruyne, Pep Guardiola's side remains in contention for the title, trailing behind Arsenal and Liverpool. They head to the Bernabéu having avoided defeat in their last 25 matches across all competitions, winning 11 of their last 12 away games.
Manchester City's current 10-match winning streak in the Champions League began with a 4-0 victory over Real Madrid last May. While Real Madrid have struggled against the reigning champions in recent encounters, they have a favorable record against City at the Bernabéu, having lost only once in five meetings. However, the clash between the two managers with the most wins in Champions League history adds further intrigue to the upcoming fixture.
Head to Head
In head-to-head matchups between Real Madrid and Manchester City, the results have been closely contested. Real Madrid has emerged victorious in three encounters; while there have been three draws between the two sides. Manchester City holds a slight edge with four wins over Real Madrid.
Team News
With Eder Militao returning to Carlo Ancelotti's squad following a significant ACL injury, Real Madrid's injury list now mainly comprises Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba, who are sidelined with serious knee problems. Dani Ceballos has resumed training with the team after a period of individual workouts last week.
Militao made his second appearance of the season as a late substitute against Athletic at the end of March, although Ancelotti might opt to hold off on starting him in the first XI for now, given his limited game time. On the other hand, Vinicius Junior, who missed the last La Liga game due to suspension, is now eligible to play, likely relegating Brahim Diaz to the bench against his former club, Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Manchester City has encountered defensive setbacks, with Josko Gvardiol sustaining a minor injury during their Premier League match against Crystal Palace. Although Gvardiol's availability for the first leg remains uncertain, Kyle Walker is ruled out due to a hamstring injury, while Nathan Ake is expected to miss out due to a calf issue.
Despite potential defensive reshuffles, Manuel Akanji showcased his capabilities at left-back in the second half against Palace, providing a viable option for Guardiola. Additionally, the return of Ederson, Bernardo Silva, and Phil Foden to the starting lineup should bolster City's lineup for Tuesday's clash.
Predicted Lineup
Real Madrid possible lineup:
Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Kroos; Bellingham; Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo
Manchester City possible lineup:
Ederson; Lewis, Stones, Dias, Akanji; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Doku, Haaland, Foden
Real Madrid vs Manchester City Prediction
As the potent attacking force of Manchester City clashes with the resolute defense of Real Madrid, anticipate an electrifying encounter between two teams known for their offensive prowess. While both sides exhibit captivating attacking play, they are not immune to occasional defensive lapses.
Expect goals to be likely at the Bernabéu. However, echoing the events of the 2022-23 season, it's difficult to discern a clear winner between the two teams in the Spanish capital. Therefore, we foresee a closely contested 1-1 draw in Tuesday's first leg—a result that would favor Guardiola's side, considering last year's outcome.